Page 116 of The Destruction You Desire

He seemed to pass out right after we cleaned up, but I couldn't stop the events of the day from spinning around my head.

I hate that they've made an impact on me. I want to push it aside and forget that it ever happened. That's exactly why I convinced Luca that I was fine because I needed normal, I craved normal. If I let him treat me like glass, if I allow them too much headspace then it'll give them the power to destroy me and I refuse to let that happen, especially now Luca and I seem to be somewhat on the same page.

That useless excuse for a man is not going to ruin this again, he's not.

"Lee."

That one word is enough to wake Luca up instantly and he sits up, throws the covers off, and drags a pair of discarded sweats up his legs.

"Stay here," he demands as I also climb from the bed.

"Fuck that, Luc. You don't need to protect me from this."

He holds my stare for a few seconds but he must realize I'm right because he hovers until I pull his shirt over my head once more then he jerks the door open and races toward Lee's.

He doesn't bother knocking, just swings the door open and marches inside.

"Shit, sorry," I blurt when we find him down to his boxers.

He looks over his shoulder at the both of us. His face is set in a stone mask and his eyes are dark. Terrifyingly dark.

"What happened?"

"Kane called some friends. They've taken care of it."

Luca crosses his arms over his chest.

"You've been gone for hours. You're stripping out of clothes that are…" He walks over and picks up his discarded shirt. "Yep, covered in blood."

"You left them with their noses gushing. What did you expect?"

"What did you do with them, Lee?"

He shrugs dismissively and Luca's shoulders tense, the muscles in his back rippling with frustration.

"Bull. Shit. Tell me the truth."

"That is the truth."

"Kane turned up as we were dragging them out, followed by some guy in a van. We loaded them in and they took off."

"And what, you and Bry sat in the bar drinking while covered in blood? Do you think I'm fucking stupid, Lee?" Luca steps up to his brother and shoves his shoulder, forcing Lee to face him.

The two stare each other down and the atmosphere in the room takes a dark turn.

"Please," I beg. "Please don't fight."

Lee flicks another look in my direction and this time he must have come back to himself enough to remember that I was involved in all of this.

"Are you okay, Peyton?"

"Yeah. Just tell us what happened."

"All you need to know is that they're not going to come near you again."

"Y-you killed them?"

"No. The cunts are still breathing."